2026 EXPO SCHEDULE
Thursday, January 8
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Registration Open
11:00 AM | Outside of Expo Hall B
Guests can begin registration for the event.
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Expo Hall Open
11:00 AM - 9:00 PM | Hall B
Explore the Expo Hall and meet new vendors, and enjoy light bites!
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Tossing Out the Old P&D Playbook – From People to Packages to Policies
FedEx Contractor Panel
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM | East RoomThe classic P&D playbook doesn’t work anymore. The days of running 250-stop routes with a P1000 and a driver who can grind through it are gone. Today’s operators are facing a very different reality: heavier freight, a workforce with new expectations, and a set of standards from FedEx that have shifted just as much as the labor market. This session walks through what has changed, from people to packages to policies, and what contractors must do to adapt.
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New Investor Orientation
Josh Gregory
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM | West RoomIf you're coming in to the Expo and don't know where to start... start here! This session is designed to give new investors an overview of the industries represented at Expo and what makes each one unique. We will walk through the core models for FedEx, Bread, and Amazon, and highlight what type of owner each space is best suited for. The goal is to help attendees understand the language, the business structures, and the major themes they will hear throughout the event so they can get the most value from the sessions that follow.
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Scaling Up: From Small Business Operator to True Business Owner
Alex Frum
1:15 PM - 2:00 PM | East RoomYou can’t grow from $3M to $10M by doing everything yourself. This session will break down the shift from working in the business to working on the business; covering cash flow management, expense reduction, and revenue growth strategies that drive real results.
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Baking Up Wins: The Bread Franchise Advantage
Chad Johnson, Flowers Foods
1:15 PM - 2:00 PM | West RoomFlowers and its brands have a tested and successful IDP blueprint. With high brand recognition, established systems and processes, national and regional marketing campaigns, internal financing, and more, learn what it takes to get started and how you can take the next step in your new business opportunity.
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Know Your Numbers: Data-Driven Negotiations for Success
Amy Byers, Dave Byers, Josh Gregory
2:30 PM - 3:15 PM | East RoomWhen it comes to negotiations, knowledge is power. Learn how to leverage data, understand your unique business characteristics, and approach contract discussions with confidence to drive profitability.
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Securing Your Future: Why the Security Industry is a Smart Investment
Andy Willis
2:30 PM - 3:15 PM | West RoomThe security industry is growing fast, and the demand for trained personnel has never been higher. In this session, a seasoned security professional will break down the opportunities in the sector, the rising need for security services, and why investing in security personnel can be a profitable and scalable business move. Whether you're looking to expand your portfolio or enter a stable, high-demand industry, this session will give you the insights you need to get started.
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More than Margins: Real Factors That Make or Break a Bread Investment
Leah Nelson, Stephen Rhein
3:45 PM - 4:30 PM | East RoomProfit matters, but it’s not the whole picture. This session takes you past surface-level ROI to examine the deeper indicators of route quality: territory strength, depot dynamics, product mix, growth potential, and operator risk. Whether you’re evaluating your first deal or comparing multiple listings, this is your roadmap for spotting real value and avoiding costly surprises.
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Your First Line of Defense: The Linehaul Employee Handbook
Alex Frum
3:45 PM - 4:30 PM | West RoomLearn how a clear Linehaul employee handbook protects your operation, reduces risk, and gives you defensible standards when things go wrong.
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Crisis-Proofing Your Business: How to Stay Ahead in an Evolving Industry
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM | East Room
Panel hosted by Truck N’ Hustle’s Rahmel Wattley
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Welcome Reception
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Hall B
Enjoy complementary food and beverage + live music in the Expo Hall!
Experience Nashville!
Plan your trip for things to do and see while in Music City
Friday, January 9
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Breakfast
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Hall B
Enjoy complimentary breakfast in the Expo Hall
Presented by Fortitude Insurance -
Expo Hall Open
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM | Hall B
Explore the Expo Hall, meet new vendors, and get solutions for your operation
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The “Space” to Be – Why P&D is Still Worth it!
Amy Byers, Dave Byers
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM | East RoomP&D attracts more “Is it still worth it?” questions than any other space—and for good reason. The work has changed, the expectations have risen, and operators are looking for real answers. This session tackles that head-on. We’ll break down what winning looks like today, why mindset matters more than ever, and how to see the advantages in a model that still delivers opportunity for owners who lean in. Whether you’re a current contractor needing a reset or a new investor wondering if the squeeze is worth it, we’ll walk through why P&D remains a space worth betting on and where FedEx is signaling momentum ahead.
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Amazon DSP: True Costs, Profitability, and Daily Realities
Andrew Polito, Josh Gregory
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM | West RoomLearn what it really takes to own and operate an Amazon DSP. This session will break down true start‑up and operating costs, profit margins, and common financial pitfalls, while also giving a candid look at the day‑to‑day responsibilities of a DSP owner. From managing drivers and vehicles to balancing Amazon’s performance demands, hear real insights from experienced operators on what it takes to run a profitable and sustainable DSP business.
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Maintaining Healthcare Costs in an Ever-Changing Market
Roland Brewer
Co-Founder, Realm Health
10:15 AM - 11:00 AM | East RoomMore details coming soon!
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Cash Out Clean: Tax Strategy for Your Big Exit
Kevin Brunner, Owner, SellMyFDX.com
10:15 AM - 11:00 AM | West RoomMore details coming soon!
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Why Buying One More Diesel Truck Could Kill Your Margins
Harbinger Motors Panel
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM | East RoomMore details coming soon!
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Safety & Compliance: Protecting Your Business & Your Bottom Line
Alex Frum
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM | West RoomSafety and compliance directly impact your profitability. Learn how to improve your safety scores, manage MEDALs scores, and utilize vendor solutions to stay ahead of evolving regulations while keeping your operation running smoothly.
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Lunch
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Hall B
Enjoy complimentary lunch in the Expo Hall
Presented by Indeed -
FedEx Express Transition 2.0: Two Years In
Slicker Trucking Team
1:30 PM - 2:15 PM | East RoomA look back at the last two years of the FedEx transition - what’s working, what’s changing, and what contractors need to know moving forward.
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Fleet Strategy: Smart Sourcing & Future-Proofing Your Vehicles
Alex Frum, Patrick McKay
1:30 PM - 2:15 PM | West RoomThe right truck at the right price makes all the difference. Learn best practices for sourcing vehicles, financing strategies, and how upcoming CARB 2027 regulations will impact future purchases.
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Ask the Operators: Linehaul Edition
FedEx Linehaul Contractor Panel
2:45 PM - 3:30 PM | East RoomA live Q&A with seasoned FedEx Linehaul contractors. Bring your questions and get straight answers on operations, staffing, safety, growth, and everything in between.
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Running Bread the Right Way: People, Process, and Retailer Relationships
Josh Gregory, Stephen Rhein
2:45 PM - 3:30 PM | West RoomThis session walks through what it actually takes to run a successful bread operation at scale. We will break down the real day-to-day work of owning routes, how to build a team that stays, and how to create reliable coverage so the business holds together during vacations or unexpected call outs. We will also focus on the retailer side of the model and show how strong store relationships can make or break your growth.
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Ask the Operators: P&D edition
FedEx P&D Contractor Panel Panel
4:00 PM - 4:45 PM | East RoomA live Q&A with seasoned FedEx P&D contractors. Bring your questions and get straight answers on operations, staffing, safety, growth, and everything in between.
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The Real Market Value of FedEx Routes in 2025
Josh Gregory, Leah Nelson
4:00 PM - 4:45 PM | West RoomA clear walk through of what FedEx businesses are worth in 2025, how valuations are trending, and what contractors should know if they’re planning their exit in the next few years.
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Closing Reception
4:45 PM - 6:00 PM | Hall B
Enjoy complimentary food and beverage in the Expo Hall!